You can’t pass by the D-Day beaches without visiting the Airborne Museum dedicated to the American airborne troops in June 1944. Located 15 minutes drive fromUtah Beachthis museum owes its fame to the parachutist John Steele. Hanging from the bell tower of Sainte-Mère-Église on June 4, 1944, it inspired the famous film The longest day .
Through this visit, you will be led to relive D-Day in total immersion from its preparation by the Allies to the (re)conquest of freedom.
In this article, find our opinion in pictures and all our advice to prepare your visit.
This review is completely independent, we visited anonymously and paid our admission in full.
Why visit the Musée des troupes aéroportées – Airborne Museum?
Is the Airborne Museum worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, completely, because the Airborne Museum is the largest museum in Europe dedicated to the American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. It is particularly interesting for visitors with a passion for aviation or war history.
Unlike the other D-Day museums, it pays specific tribute to the soldiers who came from the sky. Through an impressive scenography (hyperrealistic reconstitutions, films, holograms, digital tablets…), we discovered in a very interactive way the decisive role of these soldiers in the Battle of Normandy.
The museum also has collectibles: parachute canopies, uniforms, everyday objects, authentic vehicles and real vintage aircraft. So, are you ready for the adventure? Don’t forget to reserve your time!
Why is the Airborne Museum famous?
This museum is famous for several reasons:
- It is the only museum that allows you to understand the preparation and development of the Normandy landings by airborne troops. It exhibits unique pieces such as the Waco glider or the C-47 aircraft.
- The Airborne Museum still represents today the strong link between the American soldiers and the inhabitants of Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy. It houses The Walkway Victory Memorial Bricks which honors these soldiers.
- Located in front of the church of Sainte-Mère-Église, the museum benefits from the international reputation of the village. It is here that a part of the history of the Second World War was played: the landing of the airborne troops.
- The museum is also known thanks to the movie The Longest Day in which John Steele’s remarkable landing is told. The American parachutist found himself hanging from the bell tower of Sainte-Mère-Église.
Our favorite moments
We particularly appreciated the discovery of the American Waco glider in the first pavilion. We had the chance toboard the full-sizeplane and imagine ourselves in the place of the American paratroopers. This is the only example in France of a Waco glider still in its entirety. Thanks to the Histopad (touchscreen tablet provided), we could even visualize ourselves at the controls of the machine!
In the C-47 building, we also loved the interactive staging. We were able to attend the briefing of the parachutists with a hologram more real than life, and prepare to jump with them.
Finally in the building “ Operation Neptune”, the passage in the plane in 4D immersed us in the action. Through the mix of sounds, images and movements, we felt as if we were living the events from the inside!
Each pavilion offers a different experience that will appeal to all audiences. Check availability and reserve your place!
A little history
Sainte-Mère-Église is a Norman village linked to the airborne troops during the Normandy landings. On June 6, 1944, American paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Divisions were dropped on the Sainte-Mère-Église area to secure the zone.
Despite scattered landings, they succeeded in establishing a bridgehead crucial to the success of the Landing. The village became a symbol of Operation Overlord and today houses the Airborne Museum, the only museum dedicated to the history of airborne troops.
Useful tips and map: Airborne Museum, Sainte-Mère-Eglise, France
Where is the Airborne Museum?
The Airborne Museum is located at 14 Rue Eisenhower in Sainte-Mère-Église (50480) in Normandy.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
- Driving time from Rouen: 2h15min.
- Driving time from Evreux: 2h35min.
- Driving time from Caen: 1 hour.
- Driving time from Alençon: 2h10.
- Driving time from Cherbourg: 40min.
These times may vary depending on traffic conditions.
How to get there
The Airborne Troops Museum is easily accessible by car. Located on the church square in the village, you will have no trouble locating it.
It is possible to reach the museum by public transport from Paris, Bayeux, Caen or Cherbourg. The Carentan train station, located on the Paris-Cherbourg TER line, is 14 km by car from Sainte-Mère-Église.
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
In Carentan, you can take a cab and be at the museum in 15 minutes, or take a bus of the line 1, direction Cherbourg-Octeville, for 3 €. The Nomad bus line 301 also links Carentan-les-Marais to Sainte-Mère-Eglise. Find the bus schedules here.
The car remains the most practical means of transportation. You can get there quickly from the main cities of Normandy via the N13. Its proximity to the American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer and the D-Day beachesUtah Beach at 15min drive), makes it an ideal place to plan your trip to discover the emblematic places of the D-day.
On an organized tour from Paris, Bayeux or Caen, you have the possibility to opt for private excursions from Paris, Bayeux or Caen. They include a visit to the Airborne Museum, and stop at other D-Day landmarks such as cemeteries and beaches.
Discover the options and book your time slot now.
Parking
The museum does not have a special parking lot for its visitors, but it is surrounded by large municipal parking lots. You will find one behind the museum in the rue du Docteur Masselin, but also on the Place de l’Église and in front of the museum. These parking lots are not free. It is necessary to count 2€ per 24h.
The site has a bicycle parking and is accessible to campers.
Best time to visit the Airborne Museum
There is a constant flow of people between 11am and 5pm, especially in summer. Nevertheless, the circulation remains easy, as the museum benefits from large spaces. If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. However, the Airborne Museum is large, so it is easy to get around. This unique museum attracts visitors all year round, check availability and book now.
How long to visit the museum and main difficulties
It takes between 1 and 3 hours to visit the museum which is spread over 4 buildings.
For the more passionate among you, you will have to allow more time to read the numerous informative panels.
Many objects related to the airborne troops are exposed in the museum. You will have little difficulty navigating through the museum. Most of the site is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The floor is flat, there are few stairs. The buildings are either on one level or equipped with an access ramp. Only one platform located in pavilion C-47 is inaccessible.
Restrooms are located in the museum’s reception building, next to the store, and in Pavilion 3.
If you are visiting this museum with small children, whether you are in a stroller, on foot or in a baby carrier, the visit is still feasible.
Information is available mainly in English and French.
It should be noted that the visual and sound environment of certain sections may be difficult to bear for people with hypersensitivity.
Map of the Airborne Museum and advice on how to visit
As indicated on the museum map, it is best to begin your visit in Building 1, dedicated to the Waco glider. Afterwards, Building 2 displays the C-47 aircraft and reviews its history. The third building, “Operation Neptune”, will be refurbished in 2021 and will highlight new themes such as wartime medicine, the duty to remember and civilians during the liberation. Finally, the 4th building is a conference center / cinema.
We advise you to follow the order of the plan which ensures a chronological and coherent continuity in this immersion through the history of war.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Guided tours
The museum does not offer guided tours for individual visitors.
An interesting alternative to the traditional guided tour was suggested to us: the use of the Histopad, a touch-sensitive tablet that considerably enriches the visit experience. Included in the entrance ticket, this tool allows you to learn more about the objects on display, or to access unpublished content (photographs, animated maps, archives…). It extends the immersive dimension of the visit, thanks to 360° reconstructions in augmented reality, which immerse the user in the history of Sainte-Mère-Église under the Occupation and during the summer of 1944.
A 30-minute tour of the museum’s storerooms (or backstage) by a curator is also offered since March 2023. More information on the official website of the museum.
Museum of Airborne Troops with children
The interactive and immersive dimension of the museum is well thought out for children. Thanks to the Histopad, your children can go in search of war relics hidden in the museum: a real treasure hunt! To keep a souvenir of their visit, the tablet also allows them to take pictures of themselves in paratrooper, soldier or nurse uniforms.
The Airborne Museum was truly designed with children in mind, as there is a tour route specifically for them. For an even more entertaining visit, 3 game books for 6 to 15 years old, as well as coloring pages, can be downloaded for free on the official website.
Schedules and prices
The museum is open every day:
- From May to August: 9am-7pm (last entry at 6pm).
- In April and September: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm (last entry at 5:30 pm).
- From October to March: 10am-6pm (last entry at 5pm).
Each year, the museum closes in December and January, except during school vacations. It is also closed for the holidays (December 24, 25, 31 and January 1).
Rates:
- Full price adult ticket : 9,90
- Children’s ticket: 6€ for children from 6 to 17 years old, free entrance for children under 6 years old.
- Special family rate (from 2 adults and 2 children): 28€ (9€/adult and 5€/child)
The visit to the museum reserves is available at a single price of 14.90€ per adult and 10€ per child, and includes admission to the museum.
Check out the schedules, all the rates, and book your tickets on the official website.
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Restaurant nearby
The museum does not offer a snack bar or restaurant, but you will easily find some in Sainte-Mère-Église and its surroundings. Or bring your own lunchbox! If you want to eat on the go, picnic tables are available in the village.
Otherwise you have easy access to a selection of restaurants and snack bars in the village.
For the restaurants, we recommend:
- Restaurant le Bistrot 44, located in the heart of Sainte-Mère-Eglise, you will enjoy simple but generous dishes at reasonable prices.
- Crêperie Chez Jeanne, you can enjoy traditional Norman pancakes in a warm setting!
If you have a car and wish to visit the surrounding area, the town of Bayeux, located 40 minutes away by car, also has a very good selection of restaurants. Find our selection of the best restaurants where to eat in Bayeux.
SLEEPING NEAR THE D-Day landing beaches
Option 1: Bayeux
The most practical option, in our opinion, is to base yourself in the city of Bayeux.
The city is not too big, with a lot of charm and a central location.
There are many restaurants and hotels.
- TheDomaine de Bayeux Hotel in an 18th century mansion – see prices, photos and availability.
- see all top rated accommodations in Bayeux.
Option 2: In the countryside
In the countryside around the D-Day beaches, you will find beautiful buildings with a lot of charm: farms, manors…
- The Utah Beach domain (especially since this beach is further from Bayeux) – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Ferme de la Rançonnière – see prices, photos and availability
Option 3: Caen
Otherwise, the biggest city in the area is Caen.
There are also a lot of hotels and restaurants but, in our opinion, with a little less charm than Bayeux.
Start of the tour: Zone 1 – Waco Glider Room
The plane
The visit starts with the building 1. If you take the time to look at the roof, you will see that it is shaped like a parachute. Good thinking, right?
We had the pleasure of seeing the life-size Waco CG4A glider in the center of the room.
This aircraft, with a wingspan of 25.5m and a length of 14.8m, remains the only example visible in France in this state of preservation. The wreckage of this glider has been entirely renovated by the Salis workshops in La Ferté-Alais. You will have the incredible chance to go on board and discover its history through explanatory panels. We loved the experience and even discovered with the Histopad how the guns were loaded into the plane!
The Waco glider is very important in the history of the museum. In 1957, the mayor of Sainte-Mère-Église submitted to the American and French authorities his project to create a museum.
The centerpiece would be a glider that was used for the landing of airborne troops. In 1960, the Americans located the wreckage of a 1943 Waco CG4A glider, which was later restored in the Paris region.
The objects
All kinds of objects are presented in this room. We observed everyday items such as the soldiers’ personal effects, their weapons, and equipment such as these dust goggles.
We were surprised by the attention to detail. Indeed, hygienic products and medical equipment were also exposed.
The objects that interested us the most were:
- parachutists’ equipment: parachutes, life jackets, army helmets, jumping boots, goggles,
- medical kit: a first aid kit containing an individual bandage, a tourniquet, morphine and a packet of disinfectant powder.
The paratroopers were already well equipped at that time!
The canopies
One of the windows caught our attention. The parachute museum has a collection of canopies that visitors can see in use. We learned that there were different colors of canopies for dropping containers, and that each one had a different meaning.
To give you an example:
- If the canopy is white, it means that you will find equipment and material in the container.
- While a blue canopy indicates that the container contains food.
We really enjoyed the experience of flying full size planes! This gives us a glimpse of the living conditions during the war.
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Continuation of the visit in Zone 2 – Pavilion C47
In building 2, whose roof is shaped like a Delta wing, you will discover the mythical Douglas C-47 Skytrain plane proudly standing. But before we got close, we were delighted to be able to watch paratroopers in action. Indeed, the museum has recreated jump scenes through fully equipped mannequins: jump boots, helmets, jackets and special pants, and of course parachutes!
You will also have access to more information via explanatory panels.
If you are passionate about the U.S. military, you will appreciate the information on U.S. paratrooper badges. The touch screen in this section allowed us to learn more about the colors, signs and their meanings.
We then devoted ourselves to the observation of the most important piece of the Zone 2: the Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft.
This aircraft dropped paratroopers over Sainte-Mère-Église on June 6, 1944, among 821 other C47 aircraft. They dropped 13,348 men from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. These planes were also used to tow gliders on days D and D+1. Impressive!
We enjoyed discovering the history of the American paratroopers (constitution of the regiments, evolution of the equipment, first fights…). Explanations are given on the military operations which made the success of the Landing, itself told through a film on a giant screen.
The course also allows to understand the role of the “pathfinders”, soldiers in charge of marking the jumping areas.
The Briefing
It is in this pavilion that we entered the “briefing” room. We were immersed in an American wooden barracks, recreated with posters of the time and trompe-l’oeil windows overlooking airfields.
The hologram of a soldier appeared: in the skin of a parachutist, we received orders to equip ourselves before the big jump. So be sure to listen carefully, and good luck!
The Big Bluff
Operation Bodyguard was a vast plan of diversion and disinformation, set up by the Allies, to mislead the German armies on the places of the various landings in Europe.
The objective of this “Great Bluff” was to mislead the German enemies by:
- creating ghost units in England and Scotland,
- disseminating information classified as secret and controlled by the intelligence services,
- deploying double agents among the German troops.
In this section, the explanatory panels and various objects exposed allowed us to understand the extent of this device: diffusion of false information, double agents, guns, tanks, dummies and false insignia, everything was implemented to hide the true intentions of the Allies! Don’t forget to book your visit!
Story and testimony
In the C-47 building, we “met” the actors of this great epic. You will be able to listen to the conversations of the parachutists, and read testimonies of the time.
The museum is linked since its creation to the parachutists who liberated Sainte-Mère-Église. The veterans were present at the inauguration of the different pavilions of the museum. So naturally we found stories and portraits of soldiers throughout the visit.
For example, the life of Maxwell D. Taylor, commander in chief of the 101st Airborne Division, is traced. Unreleased recordings are available, and the crew members of the C-47 are introduced.
Through realistic portraits and stories, the paratroopers reveal their humanity and their living conditions. This creates a closeness between them and us, and makes their world more concrete.
German side
In May 1944, a few weeks before the D-Day landings, the Germans reinforced their defense of the Cotentin Peninsula:
- The 243rd Infantry-Division was positioned on the northwest coast.
- The 709th Infantry-Division covered the northeast coastal sector.
- The 91st Division established itself in the center of the Cotentin.
- Installation of heavy artillery batteries.
The German army equipped itself to counter the enemy offensive and protect the coastline.
Films made from archival footage helped us to visualize the situation at the time. The museum’s scenography is totally immersive and it’s great to be able to put yourself in the shoes of the soldiers during the visit!
Zone 3 – Operation Neptune
Direction: the 3rd building in the shape of an airplane wing named “Operation Neptune”. This pavilion immersed us in the airborne troops who landed in Sainte-Mère-Église. The immersion begins on board a C-47, in England, until the big jump over the Norman village.
The 4D experience
In this pavilion, you will relive the parachute drops of June 6, 1944 as if you were there!
The 4D experience is impressive: under our feet and through the windows of the C-47, images scroll by. With the noises, sounds, and movements given to the plane, we managed to imagine the visual and sound chaos experienced by the paratroopers on the way to their mission. You’ll feel like you’re in a real airplane during wartime as you walk through the narrow corridors.
Sainte-Mère-Église
The Airborne Museum is not located in Sainte-Mère-Église by chance! It is a city full of history, and deeply marked by the D-Day landings.
Operation Neptune, told through a very realistic museography, plunges into the heart of the battle of Sainte-Mère-Eglise which began on June 6, 1944.
- June 6, 1944 – 1:00 a.m.: the first Allied paratroopers landed in Saint-Mère-Église and launched the assault.
- June 6, 1944 – 5am: the Germans retreat and Sainte-Mère-Église becomes the 1st city liberated by the American airborne troops.
- June 6 and 7, 1944: the German counter-attack was organized and led to intense fighting.
The American paratroopers held on until reinforcements arrived. The city will never be retaken by the enemies!
Sainte-Mère-Église also owes its fame to John Steele, an American parachutist who remained suspended from the bell tower of the village church.
In 1961, the film The Longest Day was shot here, featuring some of the greatest names of the time (John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Sean Connery) and immortalizing this cult moment. The biopic is an adaptation of the homonymous book by Cornelius Ryan published in 1959.
You can see that the parachutist is still hanging from the bell tower of the church of Sainte-Mère-Église!
Combat scenes
At the Airborne Museum, you will be able to dive into the heart of the confrontations thanks to reconstructions of combat scenes.
The violence of the assaults in Sainte-Mère-Église is without comparison. During the battle of Fière, which lasted only 3 days, heavy losses in men and material were counted in both camps.
The village experienced many other battles during this period.
Thus, the liberation of Sainte-Mère-Eglise has cost the lives of many soldiers, but also civilians. North of the village, on June 7, the Germans returned fire. To the west, in the marshes, intense fighting took place until June 9 (Battle of La Fière). They are staged in a hyper-realistic way.
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And around the buildings
Vehicles
Outside the museum are war vehicles, such as the Sherman M4 tank or the American war truck CGM CCKW 353.
The latter is the most famous and widespread cargo model of the US Army.
Walkway Victory Memorial bricks
The Walkway Victory Memorial bricks is a memorial site created at the initiative of The Regan Legacy Foundation.
This unique location is dedicated to the commemoration of American veterans who served with the Allies during World War II. This place invites us to meditate to honor their memory.
For the more informed among you, you can also test your knowledge by trying to recognize names.
So all this has made you want to visit the Airborne Museum, the only museum dedicated to airborne troops during World War II? Don’t wait any longer and reserve your slot to avoid waiting in line!
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
What to see in Sainte-Mère-Église and surroundings
Visit the village of Sainte-Mère-Église
Sainte-Mère-Église is a charming commune in the department of Manche. Known for the Airborne Museum, you can also visit its famous Church of Our Lady of the Assumption on whose roof paratrooper John Steele hung in 1944. But the village is also home to:
- the Farm-Museum of Cotentin which retraces the life in the countryside in post-war Normandy,
- the Fiere Bridge and Iron Mike Monument a strategic bridge during World War II and an emotional place of remembrance,
- the Brewery of Sainte-Mère-Église which makes very good craft beers for the connoisseurs.
Find all the activities in Normandy including the visit of the village of Sainte-Mère-Église by clicking here.
Take an excursion to Mont-Saint-Michel
Do you know the Wonder on the Mount from the Middle Ages? This jewel perched on a rock is a true architectural feat! We named the famous Mont-Saint-Michel! If you are passing through Normandy and have never visited this magical place, we highly recommend it.
The ideal is to go there in an organized tour to rest in a bus, relax during the trip to be in shape and enjoy this unique place. See tour options on Viator or Getyourguide.
By road, the Mont-Saint-Michel is located at 1h30 from the village of Sainte-Mère-Église and at about 4h from Paris. Find here all our advices to go to the Mont-Saint-Michel (car, tours, train…).
Visit the key places of the Landing
You also have the possibility in the vicinity of:
- Discover the most beautiful D-Day beaches, emblematic places of this turning point in history: the 5 main beaches each have their own specificities and history, so it is difficult to make a choice, why not visit them all? There are several organized tours that will appeal to you if you are passionate about the Second World War and the D-Day Landings. Remember to book your place as soon as possible! If you want to walk on the most beautiful beaches of Normandy by your own means, find all our advices here.
- Visit the military cemeteries in Normandy: The region is known for its many places of remembrance and memorials in honor of the fallen. The most famous are: the American cemetery of Colleville-sur-MerOmaha Beach), the British military cemetery of Bayeux, the military cemetery of Hermanville-sur-Mer, the cemetery of Beny-sur-Mer, the cemetery of Douvres-La-Délivrandes near Sword Beach, the German military cemetery of La Cambe. You also have the possibility of making an organized excursion to discover all these places full of history with a guide.
- Marvel at the most beautiful sites of the D-Day landings: The arrival of the Allied troops on the Normandy coast in 1944 and the Battle of Normandy left a lasting impression on the region and the world. It can be difficult to plan a trip with so many beaches, museums, batteries and other places to visit. Passionate about history and travel, we will help you organize your itinerary to see the most of it and especially enjoy it! To do this, we have listed the 25 major D-Day sites in Normandy.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
